Veteran first baseman Mark Reynolds would like to return to the Rockies for a third season, and he can rattle off a number of reasons why it makes sense.

But that doesn’t mean it’s a sure thing.

For one thing, Reynolds made it clear Tuesday that he’s looking to sign a guaranteed, big-league deal. He came to spring training last year on a minor-league deal with Colorado, made the team and ended up earning $1.5 million. He had turned down a $3 million deal to play baseball in Korea.

“I think I proved last year that I can produce and help a team,” Reynolds said. “I am looking to sign a major-league deal. … Things are different this year.”

Last season, Reynolds, 34, hit .267 with 30 home runs and 97 RBIs in 148 games. Those 148 games were his most since playing 155 with Baltimore in 2011. His splits, however, were extreme. He batted .294 with 23 homers at Coors Field vs. .242 with seven homers on the road. Prior to the all-star break, he hit .284 with 19 homers vs. .243 with 11 homers after the break.

That’s still a big if, and spring training opens in less than a month.

“I talked with the Rockies during the winter meetings and Jeff (general manager Jeff Bridich) told me that they had to take care of the bullpen and then see what the money situation was,” Reynolds said. “So now I’m waiting to see what happens.”

Reynolds said he believes he provide a good veteran in the clubhouse and also said he’s earned the trust of his fellow infielders, including gold glovers Nolan Arenado (third base) and DJ LeMahieu (second).

“I think the guys have confidence in me at first,” Reynolds said. “I think you’ve seen that we work together well.”

Reynolds also has another reason for wanting to return to Colorado.

“Like I said last year, I think this team has a lot of talent and has a chance to do something special,” Reynolds said. “I think we showed that last season and it was great to be a part of that.”

The Rockies made a roster move on Tuesday in Houston ahead of the start of their six-game road trip, placing reliever Scott Oberg on the paternity list and recalling infielder Garrett Hampson from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move.

Even as a supremely talented high school ballplayer and the son of a renowned state championship baseball coach, Longmont native and former Faith Christian star David Bote was never expected to reach the major leagues. But six-plus years of toiling in the minors have led to a Cinderella rookie season.